Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-08
PETERSBURG.
ALLEGED LIBEL cAsEs-THRgE PAR
TIES SECT on.
First New Virginia cotton-Republicsn
Legislative Nominations.
Correspondence Of the Richmond DIspatch.l


The libel cases came up for q hear
ing before court of justices this
morning. During the recent excite
,nent in this city a card was published
in the IndeT- appeal over the sigma
lures OF NJ. N. Lewis, w. j. Smith,
and II. @. Kennedy, containing severe
structures upon Mr.. T. J. Jarratt, the
mayor Of the city. This communica-
ton was in the form of preamble and
resolution adopted at a meeting of col
ored citizens held the night previous,
and the names of the parties above
mentioned were signedto itas "com-
mittee." The communication was re-
garded by Mayor Jarrstt as libellous,
and after consultation he swore out
warrants against the parties for libel.
At the same time warrant was also
sworn out against Mr.. X. p. Barham,
editor of the IRder-AppeaL, for Ii
bel in permitting the publica-
ton of the communication in his pa
per. and another against w. w. Evans,
editor of the Lancet, the colored paper
published here, for certain alleged Ii
bellous publications in his paper. The
parties all gave bail and the cases were
set for hearing to-day. Mr. Barham,
being sick and unable TO appear in
court to-day, had bis case continued
until Monday. ". w. Evans asked
that bis case be continued also, which
was granted The other three parties,
signers of the communication, went
into an examination and elected TO
have their cases heard together. VI.
n. Lewis, one Of the defendants, who
is a lawyer, acted as counsel for hlm-
self and co-dcfendants. In the absence
of Mr.. Georges S. Bernard, attorney for
the Commonwealth, Mr.. ID. A. Lyon
appeared for the State.
The communication in question was
read by the prosecution as evidence.
Mayor Jarratt testified that he read
the communication on the day of its
publication that some of the state
ments contained therein were untrue
that when Ridley (who had assaulted
Mrs. De Jarnette) applied to him on the
bench for warrants against certain par
ties who, he alleged, had assaulted him,
he told linn that if he would come into
his Office after court he would issue war
rants for all parties against whom he
preferred charges. consider the puO-
iication, said the Mayor, base libel.
| am seventy years OF age, and can
bring testimony from all portions Of the
State to prove my good character.
In, 10 a
Lewis as to what portion of the article
he considered libellous, the Mayor re-
sponded: The whole OF it, but espe-
cially that part which characterized
him as biased judge, and referred to
his sentence of Ridley a. ga travesty
upon justice and "a disgrace to the
nineteenth century"
Mr.. u. y. Selke, associate editor OF
the Ladci-Appc2i, was called to the
stand. When shown the libellous
article he said it was brought to the
newspaper Office by three colored men
William Daley, II. G. Kennedy. and
W. j. Smith-for publication. lie told
them it could not be published. They
said If it was not published in the
MdCr-AppcQi it would appearin some
other paper. Mr.. Selke wrote to Mr..
Barham, who was sick at home, enclo-
sing the article. The reply WAS re-
turued that il it were signed by re-
sponSible parties, and paid for as An
advertisement, it could be published.
1t was paid Tor.
The Commonwealth here rested its
case.
1t was testified, on behalf Of the de-
fence, that the meeting at which the
article was adopted was not Il mass
meeting, but was one held for political
purpoees-for the discussion OF the
matter OF elccting officers who would
dispense equal justice to white and col
ored people alike.
". j. Smith said be had no idea Of
yilliiying Mayor Jarratt II was only
the Mayors acts, in his official capacity,
that were criticised. The resolution
WAS drawn by 4 committee and signed
by them.
Fl. c. Kennedy said the meeting was
not held to discuss air. Jarratt per-
sonally, but his public acts as chief
officer Of the city.
Lewis, in lis speech, said the defend
ants did not propose to deny signing
the article or having it published.
But they did deny that there was any
malice manifested toward Mayor Jar
1att. Without malice there WAS no
libel. They thought that, rs free
American citizens, they had the right
to cliticise the actions of any officer
elected 10y the people. In this respect
he referred to the Language OF General
Fairchild toward the President OF the
United States in his speech comment
ing upon the Presidents order for the
restoration of the Confederate flags.
The court sent the three parties on
TO the Hastings Court to answer the
charge of libel and admitted them to
bail in the sum OF $3.50 each.
FIRST BALE or VIRGINIA COTTON.
The first new bale of Virginia cotton
was received here yesterday. Ii was
grown 10y Or. r. S. Powell, OF Bruins
wick county, and was consigned to
Martin, Hill & Co. 1t is learned that
Dr. Powell gets ten cents per pound
for it. The Doctor is one Of the
largest, if not the largest, planters in
the State, and generally gets the first
new bale TO market.
REPUBLICAN NOMISATiOS.
The Republican senatorial conven-
ton for this district. composed of
Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Brunswick
counties, met yesterday at Lawrence
vile and nominated j. Il. Rawlings for
the Senate by acclamation. Mr.. Raw
lngs ran for county treasurer at the
spnng election and was defeated by
twenty-nine votes.
The Republican convention for Sus-
sex and Greensville counties will meet
at Hicksford Tomorrow TO nominate q
candidate for the House Of Delegates.
As there will be two or more names
before the convention a lively time is
anticipated. ROBIN ADAIR